Three companies distribute your credit information:

Experian: 1-888-397-3742 Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800 You can call any of their toll free numbers to find out how to get a copy of your credit report. If you request a copy within 60 days of rejected application, you can obtain report with no charge. If you wait any longer charge is usually about eight dollars per report.

Don't assume that you know why your application was rejected without examining your report. Recently, my friend Dave Smith Jr.* applied for a loan and was rejected. He knew his records weren't best in world but decided to get a copy of report anyway--just out of curiosity. He was shocked to see several black marks that were put on his report instead of his father's. The credit bureau had confused his credit history (Dave Smith Jr.) with his father's credit history (Dave Smith Sr.) and noted a bankruptcy on his report! This wasn't all... Apparently, a dispute he thought he'd handled with a car company wasn't reflected on his report and bad marks were still there.

Use balloons artfully

Balloons make it feel like a party! Always have balloons at your events. Here's a money-saver tip -- your local 99¢ store will usually have balloons at a much lower price than most party stores.

A basic use of balloons is to create color spots around room or area where you're holding baby shower. Tie a bunch of helium balloons to an anchor. Use baby items like booties, soft toys or baby bottles filled with water as anchors. Always use an odd number of balloons in a bunch.

If you have multiple tables, get a few baby items like shampoo, lotions, bottles, diaper packs, wipes, refill packs, baby formula packs, soft toys, etc and place them in center of each table. Tie a bunch of balloons to them. Each table now has a color spot.

If you have large gifts like strollers or cribs, tie balloons to them to create a special look. Choose balloon colors according to sex of baby. If that’s not known, use both pink and blue balloons.

Use balloons to decorate mommy's chair. Tie balloons in bunches to her “throne” and treat her like royalty! Also add streamers, satin bows and ribbons to her chair to give it a special look.

If you're using a specific table for gifts, make sure it has several balloon bunches floating over it. That helps to create a focal point for gifts.

How to use tubs and umbrellas for baby showers decorations

Use baby tubs as a punch bowl. Get one of those tubs that look like a whale. Fill it with clear punch and put in a small rubber ducky. The tub makes a wonderful present for mom-to-be after shower.

Here's another way to use tub -- fill it with individually wrapped presents. That can include diapers, shampoos, lotions, washcloths, etc. For an added effect, put some balloons into tub too -- they will look like floating bubbles! And fix a rubber ducky atop one of balloons using ribbons.

You know what's a perfect fit for any baby shower? Umbrellas. After all, it's a shower, right? Here's how you can use them.